Equality between women and men has been and still is an endless discussion. Sexism has ruled from the mid-20 century, and some people will claim that it is still to be found on several places in society. Either way you will be a bit shocked when you take a look at these vintage ads with a lot of sexism. It is true that today’s advertisements are not exactly showing equality, but they are not as rough and right-forward as these ones.

The ads represent women as stupid, weak with no opinions whatsoever. She is just there to clean the house, cook, and please and obey her husband. Today the advertisement messages are so unusual that they are almost funny to read, maybe more fun for men than for women. Other ads that are made in a vintage way for fun are these internet retro ads that are made in a 1960’s style.

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For any of you men or women complaining about the current portrayal of men in the media (I like to call it “Romanoing”)as a feminist weapon: I got a bridge to sell you.

The portrayal of men as buffoonish and weak-minded IS a transparent (to anyone who’s studied advertising methods) attempt to sell something to women based on stroking their ego, but, what is the end product of this, really?

The truth is these modern ads and shows tell women that they need to do everything they are doing to prop up the current system. DON’T even THINK about asking a man to do a simple woman’s task: he will screw it up. Just do it yourself and feel quietly superior. It does everything to emphasize that it is WOMEN who are god-made to do “women’s work”, not men. But the men are still out there making money and ruling the world, while these frequently harpy-like and boundlessly masochistic women do their laundry the RIGHT way.

Modern and vintage, the root message is still the same. Modern ads have just figured out that making fun of the ruling class masks the “keep in your place” message, like so much Lysol…I mean, Summer’s Eve.

that it is not said anymore does not mean things have changed: when I got married and added my husband to my car insurance policy, they switched it into his name, because he’s the head of the household. Result: an unpaid canceled policy because he does not open his mail…
Why would an insurance discriminate against women like that? In 2009?

Most of these ads ARE shocking and so outrageous that they are actually funny! But don’t today’s TV ads say EXACTLY the same thing, without the blatant words? Summer’s Eve is only a hop skip and a jump away from telling women to “spray Lysol on your pussy.” And apparently, it’s still only women who vacuum or buy groceries. When was the last time so saw a man in a TV ad shampooing the carpet or buying laundry detergent? The most you will ever see is some guy standing around in the kitchen, laughing and tossing a salad while his wife puts the main course on the table.

some of these are very belittling to women but for the most part it just seems that they were acknowledging the way things are between a provider and a dependent. the provider cant make the money (60 hr weeks) and make sure dust doesnt build up (health issues especially with todays air quaility). men were paid more but that meant mostly that if the woman didnt help out around the house she didnt help out at all (princess or caregiver). any of this seem or sound familiar to any of you? it also seems to me that issues that develop between a provider and a dependent were just being used as a means of advertising products and relating to the consumers. now it just seems like everyone is paid less (it takes two incomes to even make ends meet) and times are even more stressful now because of it. who has time to work all the time long hours for years, keep the house fit for living, and still have any time to unwind or even rest. all the while the wife sticks to her computer screen. if you didnt live back then though i wouldnt even try to relate if i were you.